Drake Named Global Ambassador for Toronto Raptors

Drake basically put Toronto rap on the map, but he's also an avid sports fan. As such, October's Very Own has been named global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors, a source told the Toronto Sunahead of an official-made announcement today.

The Raptors are owned by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which unveiled the partnership at a press conference announcing the city as the location for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game. Similarly to what Jay Z did with Brooklyn Nets, Drizzy will aid in the team's marketing and re-branding efforts. He's also set to design a clothing line in conjunction with the team's 20th anniversary and the upcoming 2014-2015 season.

"There's a reason why we are going to submit to the league a new application for a new branding, a new image, new colors — not a new name, but new branding, and Drake will be an ambassador and help us forge this new vision, this new buzz, this new excitement where we are taking this organization," said MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke.

Drake, 26, will get an office (next to Leiweke) and his own staff. "I just want you to know I'm extremely excited to be part of a team I grew up a fan of, a die-hard fan of, of course I'm sure like everybody else from this city," he said. "I'm excited for the new vision, basketball in Canada is bigger now than ever before. I think that All-Star 2016 is a phenomenal step, something I dreamed of as a kid."

Having the "Hold On, We're Going Home" lyricist on board could help increase the Raptors' 91.6 percent home game attendance average and 84.8 percent away-game capacity.

An executive position gives Drake more to be proud of in addition to last Tuesday's (Sept. 24) Nothing Was the Same release. The album is paced to become the second biggest of the year with 675,000-725,000 copies sold in a week, trampling debut totals of his last two projects, Thank Me Later (447,000 copies) and Take Care (631,000).

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